Do you believe in Beer Hype?

Just read an interesting piece by Ben and Malia, owners of The Birch in Norfolk VA. They asked the question "Is beer hype ruining the beer drinking experience?" They quoted a story by Heather Vandenengel which compares the hyping of food to the same thing that seems to be happening with Craft beer (check out the Bells Hopslam forum) To put it directly, how many times have you had a beer hyped up to you that you couldn't wait to try, only to have the beer be a real let down to your palate, and perhaps even ruining your experience? One that stands out in my mind was 2011 Friek. I was dying to try it, having some friends tell me it was over the top, only to say "ehh" when I had it on tap. Not that it was a bad beer in any way, it was that I was expecting so much more and did not get it, basically ruining my evening when there were so many other great beers that night on tap I could have enjoyed.

Hype with in BA is simply more conversation than one thinks is warranted. We drink beer, we discuss it but we better not discuss it too much or else we're hyping it.

You know what hype is? It is a product of lacking common sense and unrealistic expectation with in the community. This should only effect the individual who buys into that mindset. I think it is foolish but if other people choose to buy in it does not impact my enjoyment of beer. If one believes that hype is ruining beer then they are probably buying into it a bit more than they are willing to admit.

It seems to have served the community somewhat well thus far. When something is hyped and it doesn't live up to expectations, its gets called out pretty quickly. But then again, its good to here people rave about high quality brews too, and helps us all source out the good stuff. Just listen to the hype from the more knowledgeable folks, they'll steer you in the right direction. And concerning the OP's example of Hopslam, even when its not as great as a previous batch its still an excellent beer, and some people forget that. Shogo said it best, awesome tastes only can get so far on the awesome meter.....just like good weed.

At least the hype is good for getting some likes on the post a picture of your latest haul thread. The only time the hype experience is truly rewarding is when you actually hunt down the beer. I think there is something to be said for that, and the slight feeling of pride when you score a bottle you've been hunting. Once it's in the glass though, you gotta keep your expectations in check and enjoy the beer for what it is in that moment, not the experience leading up to it.

This is something about this community I will never get. It's always going to taste like beer and while that taste can vary wildy how can you honestly get so excited and have such high expectations for a beer that when you finally have it your disappointed?! I think rather than blame people being enthusiastic after having a beer and talking about how good it was, I blame the people who expect the same results for themselves and have unrealistic expectaions for the negativity surrounding the hype.

Had the same letdown with sierra nevada narwhal. Wasn't a bad beer but not what i hoped for.

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I missed the hype with Narwhal as a newer reader of these boards and I loved Narwhal. Had to guy right back out to buy another 4-pack as I knew there weren't many in the shelf the last time I had gone to the store.

only to say "ehh" when I had it on tap. Not that it was a bad beer in any way, it was that I was expecting so much more and did not get it, basically ruining my evening when there were so many other great beers that night on tap I could have enjoyed.

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Wow, THAT ruined your evening? I hope that you don't have to endure reality, you may not make it.

Did anyone else think of that Loving Spoonful song when they read the title of this thread? except with different lyrics "Do you believe in magic, in a young BA's heart? and how we can crush it, whenever it starts. Ooooh with beer hype."

Hype with in BA is simply more conversation than one thinks is warranted. We drink beer, we discuss it but we better not discuss it too much or else we're hyping it.

You know what hype is? It is a product of lacking common sense and unrealistic expectation with in the community. This should only effect the individual who buys into that mindset. I think it is foolish but if other people choose to buy in it does not impact my enjoyment of beer. If one believes that hype is ruining beer then they are probably buying into it a bit more than they are willing to admit.

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I agree with this. When I first got into craft beer hype ruined a beer or two for me. After that I realized that my expectations should be more reasonable. If I drink a BCBS it's not likely that another hyped beer will be that much better, minus subjective tastes.

I believe in it. However, my taste seems to be so oddball that I don't ever expect to like a beer based on what other people like. My hubby is pretty spot on for hype though. If it's hyped and not put in a barrel, he tends to like it.

Did anyone else think of that Loving Spoonful song when they read the title of this thread? except with different lyrics "Do you believe in magic, in a young BA's heart? and how we can crush it, whenever it starts. Ooooh with beer hype."

Well I haven't had BCBS or KBS or Hopslam or Heady Topper or a lot of those that people rave about all the time here but I'm pretty sure when I do they will make me sprout wings and fly up to the heavens. They will, won't they?

Well my feelings about it are simple: while I may not indulge in beer hype, I know many are passionate about getting the beer they love and this is maybe a gateway to hype.

An example is I have no plans of trying a Heady Topper, which I am very sure is very yummy, but the fact is for me I love to drink the unknown or unpopular or whatever I may enjoy. Hmm, maybe I am rebelling the status quo and this is my take on the craft beer in my life.

There's enormous amounts of inflating value of things in craft beer. Rarity is just one aspect. The "buy local" fad is another, where otherwise mediocre stuff suddenly gains a crowd of supporters like a sucky sports team (and who won't give up on the team, no matter what the evidence).

An example is I have no plans of trying a Heady Topper, which I am very sure is very yummy, but the fact is for me I love to drink the unknown or unpopular or whatever I may enjoy. Hmm, maybe I am rebelling the status quo and this is my take on the craft beer in my life.

Well I haven't had BCBS or KBS or Hopslam or Heady Topper or a lot of those that people rave about all the time here but I'm pretty sure when I do they will make me sprout wings and fly up to the heavens. They will, won't they?

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and they will satisfy you every night and will make your breakfast. it might even start your car and scrape your windows

This is something about this community I will never get. It's always going to taste like beer and while that taste can vary wildy how can you honestly get so excited and have such high expectations for a beer that when you finally have it your disappointed?! I think rather than blame people being enthusiastic after having a beer and talking about how good it was, I blame the people who expect the same results for themselves and have unrealistic expectaions for the negativity surrounding the hype.

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I disagree wholeheartedly. It's perfectly normal for people to hype up food, drink, music, TV shows, etc. Sometimes, you'll agree. Other times, you may disagree, and perhaps you'll be "disappointed." This seems pretty common and reasonable to me.

I disagree wholeheartedly. It's perfectly normal for people to hype up food, drink, music, TV shows, etc. Sometimes, you'll agree. Other times, you may disagree, and perhaps you'll be "disappointed." This seems pretty common and reasonable to me.

how can you honestly get so excited and have such high expectations for a beer that when you finally have it your disappointed?!

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This happens all the time, and not just with beer. Your shock -- at someone having high expectations and then being disappointed if they aren't met -- is very curious to me, as I see it as a normal and commonplace reaction.

This happens all the time, and not just with beer. Your shock -- at someone having high expectations and then being disappointed if they aren't met -- is very curious to me, as I see it as a normal and commonplace reaction.

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Oh I see sorry I've been drinking my bad. I agree I've had my expectations met, exceeded, and missed before with lots of varying things bands albums, restaurants etc. but those are my own personal expectations I formed from from my own experiences which I think is different than what we are discussing. My shock was directed at people who use the opinions and experiences of others to form their expectations and being surprised when they don't have the same opinion or experience.

EDIT: E.g. "I just had heady Topper and that s**t sucked. Everyone said how good it was. Don't believe the hype."